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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

NOUP, n. Also nup, (k)noop, knoup, nowp, ¶knop. [nup]

1. A knob or protuberance (Sc. 1808 Jam., knoop; ‡Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.), esp. used of the elbow (Watson; Slk. 1950); specif. a wooden peg or pin for hanging things on (Sc. 1808 Jam., knoop). Dim. noopie, nuppi (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1914 Angus Gl., 1949 J. Gray Lowrie 15, 75, Sh. 1964).Sc. 1818 Scott H. Midlothian xvii.:
It's just like the noop of my elbow, it whiles gets a bit dirl on a corner.Sc. 1827 C. I. Johnstone Eliz. de Bruce III. x.:
To some it's like a knock on the noop of the elbow, sharp but soon owre.Slk. 1835 Fraser's Mag. (Sept.) 281:
She wash'd her arms to the elbow noops.Ags. 1848 Literary Crumbs (1891) 34:
Say, does it hang down by his side, Or on his sturdie hurdie ride, On the tapmost knoup o't?Ags. 1911 Rymour Club Misc. I. 233:
Nose, nose, noup; Cheek, cheek, choup.Sc. 1934 Punch (14 Nov.) 543:
D'ye mind the lowp I gied when your dam' metal nowp [of a hot water bottle] Burn't sair my fit?Sh. 1958 New Shetlander No. 46. 18:
A muckle swinklin gless pig wi a noopie on da end o 'im.

2. A jutting or overhanging crag or mountain-top, a steep headland or promontory (Sh. 1825 Jam., 1866 Edm. Gl., 1914 Angus Gl., nup; Ork. 1929 Marw., knoop; I.Sc. 1964). Now chiefly in placenames.Sh. 1701 J. Brand Descr. Zetland 110:
About a Mile from Tingwall to the North, there is a Hill called the Knop of Kebister.Sc. 1808 Jam.:
The Knoop of a hill, that part of a hill which towers above, or projects from, the rest.Sh. 1822 Scott Pirate xix.:
By slack and by skerry, by noup, and by voe.Sh. 1898 “Junda” Klingrahool 13:
The moon hangs over the Noop of Noss Like a golden shield with a silver boss.

3. Jocularly for long shaggy hair, locks. Ork. 1973 Orcadian (8 July):
Snog thee noops. Cut your hair.